Thinking about a handgun

[l_turn9]

I suggest you join the NRA. They have great educational materials and resources. Last I checked it was $25 per person per year. Their website has many tests and info about the various handguns & long guns.

Revolvers are very dependable and can be counted to go bang every time the trigger is pulled. Semi-automatics have their own advantages such as more rounds in the gun and a slimmer frame usually. Some people carry/keep revolvers for protection because they can be counted on to go Bang every time while the semi-auto's, even though being super reliable, there's always that one in a million jam. Which invariably happens at the worst possible moment.

Welcome to the community. I hope you 2 can make days at the range a regular thing.

LarryT
74 911

[JavaBrewer]

.357 wheel gun. Very simple, accurate, and shoots cheap .38 at the range.

[KFC911]

I've never regretted buying quality, ever, and still have the ones I purchased as a teen. My first was a Smith .357, then a Colt .45 semi, then a Colt diamondback .22, then a Smith .44 mag, then.....

You get the idea, and have been warned

I'm old school though...

[Nostril Cheese]

I'm very happy with my M&P9.

[rfuerst911sc]

First off just that you are asking here is a good start it means you have an open mind which I believe is critical for purchasing a gun. Second you need to find a local pistol range. It may be intimidating the first couple of times you and your wife go there but each time try to rent at least two different pistols. You will reach a point where the intimidation is mostly gone and NOW you two can hone in on what type of pistol you BOTH want. Basically your going to choose between a revolver and a semi-automatic. Beyond that you are now into what brand, what caliber, what accessories etc. it opens up an endless avenue of money that can be spent. I may be different than others but I started with a semi auto and slowly moved to revolvers. I like the simplicity of a revolver, when you pull the trigger it goes bang. Really nothing to jamb and no fumbling with a safety. That can be good or bad. Safety in the home regardless if there are children or not is paramount.........it's part of being a responsible gun owner ! Regardless of what you end up with you need to practice......practice......practice......until you can basically shoot it in your sleep. Why ? Hopefully you will NEVER need it for home protection but if you do the odds are it will be in the night. So you and the wife are sound asleep and then you hear a window or door being smashed/broken. So you are barely awake and your mind is racing on what to do. One of you grabs a phone to call 911 the other grabs the gun. You have no idea where the perp is or if there are more than one. In that situation you do NOT want to be wondering how to operate the weapon.
Enough of the drama go out and find a good weapon, fire it often and enjoy. It can be a regular Sat./Sunday event for you and the wife to go to the range for an hour or two. If you go semi auto I'd recommend 9MM if you go revolver then .357 because you can shoot cheaper .38 through a .357 . Good luck and be safe.

[KFC911]

^^^^ awesome advice....

[rfuerst911sc]

I would just add if you can go to local gun shows if they are held in your area. You will see tons of everything on display, can talk with very knowledgeable people and may be able to find a bargain. I find that ammo at gun shows tends to be a little cheaper than at local stores. And don't rule out buying used it is another way to save some coin.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Trog

First handgun.......S&W 686

Originally Posted by speeder

Smith and Wesson .38 revolver would not be a bad choice.

Totally agree if the criteria is fun to shoot at the range, easy to operate (wife), usable for home defense, and affordable to shoot. My revolvers are the most enjoyable thing I own to shoot, and .38 Special ammo is very affordable. You can switch to .357 Magnum for home defense purposes. The 686+ is seven round capacity, as much as many compact semi-automatics. Finally, much like a Porsche, a good revolver is timeless. They have a heft and quality feel that the polymer semi-autos just can't match.

BUT, my answer may not be yours. The absolute best advice is to take the training class, then head to the range with your wife and shoot as many options as possible. Be open, engage the guys at the range to get their feedback, and have fun. What you and your wife enjoy may surprise you.

[Taz's Master]

Here is my advice. It is worth exactly what you've paid for it, so take it for what it's worth.

You should buy two handguns. One for home defense one for cheap practice. 9mm and .357 are great semi/revolver choices which I endorse.

But in learning to shoot, I shot thousands of rounds over a few months, learning to shoot and shrinking my groups. Now mind you this was a couple of years ago when you could stop at Wal Mart and pick up a 550 round box of Federal .22 whenever you ran low, but still. A difference of 7 cents per round adds up fast. That's $70 dollars per 1000 rounds. Decent used Ruger MK II (semi) and Single Six (revolver) handguns can be had for less than $300. 2,000 rounds each to learn and practice pays for the extra gun. Which, if bought used will retain its value.

I'm just saying that it took me LOTS of practice to go from embarrassingly large unacceptable groups to acceptable groups with a handgun. A .22 is cheap and not punishing to shoot, it is, in my opinion the best way to learn to focus on the front sight and to keep from anticipating recoil or avoid developing a flinch. Your wife won't believe you, but buying two handguns is really, in my opinion, the most financially prudent approach. Plus you might get a better deal if you walk into the gunshop and say: "What will you take for that 586 and Single Six? Can I get a brick of .22 with them at that price?".

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

BUT, my answer may not be yours. The absolute best advice is to take the training class, then head to the range with your wife and shoot as many options as possible. Be open, engage the guys at the range to get their feedback, and have fun. What you and your wife enjoy may surprise you.

While I gave a nickel's worth earlier, I thought I should point out that I agree with this statement.

It also bears pointing out that 9mm ammunition is still substantially less expensive than .38 special and much less than .357 when I have looked in the last few months. Also, if concealed carry is something you are considering I will say that .38 +P and .357 is zero fun to shoot out of a snub nosed revolver. I find the single stack modern 9mm much easier to handle.

I've got a Jones for that M&P shield in 9mm. I shot one a year ago or so, and was really impressed with it. Great option if you intend to carry concealed.

[Crowbob]

Who cares how comfortable a cc weapon is to shoot? Most people don't carry for pleasure, I hope.

[gr8fl4porsche]

As my wife would tell you, I have too many guns. Pistols and rifles in many calipers. Semi and revolver.

I have my favorites but really don't dislike any of them.

Like everyone says, revolvers go bang every time and anyone can load them. I find them less than ideal for a fun range day. I like to go through 3-400 rounds on a good day and that will take forever 5-6 shots at a time.

The Glock 19 is recommended and purchased by many for a reason. It's a sweet shooter. 15 rounds of low recoil 9mm's. Also can take the 17 round mag from the G17 and 33 rounder from a G18.

Probably the best thing about the Glock's is the ability to tinker with them. Extremely simple to take apart and there is an aftermarket version of all of the very few components of the pistol.

[ledhedsymbols]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Who cares how comfortable a cc weapon is to shoot? Most people don't carry for pleasure, I hope.

I do when I practice with it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

While I gave a nickel's worth earlier, I thought I should point out that I agree with this statement.

It also bears pointing out that 9mm ammunition is still substantially less expensive than .38 special and much less than .357 when I have looked in the last few months. Also, if concealed carry is something you are considering I will say that .38 +P and .357 is zero fun to shoot out of a snub nosed revolver. I find the single stack modern 9mm much easier to handle.

I've got a Jones for that M&P shield in 9mm. I shot one a year ago or so, and was really impressed with it. Great option if you intend to carry concealed.

This is true, 9mm is the cheapest round that you could also consider for home defense. But .38 SPL isn't bad, especially considering that a .45 1911 has been suggested on this thread. He didn't list CCH on the criteria, so that wasn't my thought process. A 686+ in 4" or 6" is fantastic fun to shoot, I can imagine that a snub nose is less so. Of course my Sig 938 is great for CCH but also not all that much fun to shoot.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Trog

First handgun.......S&W 686

+1 The S&W 686 is still a great value for the quality. .357 ammo is still cheap. Nothing to jam on a revolver. Appreciating in value.

A semi-auto is NOT a good first gun. …Unless you're going to take the time to practice extensively. When you can field strip and reassemble, and clear a jam, in the dark, then the auto is a decent home protection gun.

[gprsh924]

Thanks for the advice so far. Some of the classes I have found offer range time with both revolvers and semi-auto, so that should help me decide what I like best. Solely on form, I would lean towards a semi-auto.

[patz]

Glock, consider blue tip/snake shot rounds in 9mm. I'm also a Smith .357 fan, less rounds but idiot proof.

[regency]

There's nothing new out there that I want. I'd look for an early (1955 - 1975) S&W 4" Highway Patrolman, .357

They can be found for a good price.

Here's my Grandfathers.

1973 911T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

Steve

[aigel]

+1 on a revolver. Stay away from an ultralight snub nose. Get something with a 4" barrel in steel that shoots .38.

G

[masraum]

-relatively inexpensive - revolver, plastic gun like a Glock, M&P or XD or any number of other similar guns, also, you can get reasonably priced 1911s.

-cost of ammo is reasonable - .38, 9mm or .45. Those are your best bets for cheap ammo. .22 is also cheap, but not really great for home defense. 357 sig or 40 sw aren't as reasonably priced as the other 3 that I mentioned. If you get something that's a 357 magnum, then you can practice with 38 and use 357 magnum for home pretection.

-easy to shoot (I have very little experience) - the stuff that I recommended in the relatively inexpensive qualify

-potential to use for home defense - SAA

-my wife will also want to be comfortable using it in an emergency situation - revolver is probably the easiest. Pull the trigger, that's it. a semi-auto is not really that much harder unless there is a malfunction.



See if you can find someone from PPOT in your area that has several guns that's willing to let you fire several at the range. Red was willing to help me out with that. I then met a popular CHL trainer from the area that was willing to do the same and go over a little safety with me although I think Red did a great job.